§ MR. T. E. ELLIS (Merionethshire)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether the persons charged with assault and riot during the collection of tithe at Llangwm have been summoned to appear at the Petty Sessional Division at Ruthin, 15 miles away from the Petty Sessional Division within which the alleged offences are supposed to have been committed; and, whether 81 he is aware that this entails great expense upon the defendants and their witnesses, many of whom are labourers?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)Yes, Sir; it is a fact these persons have been summoned to appear at Ruthin, the reason being, as I understand, that this is the only place where there is sufficient Court accommodation; and, moreover, it was not deemed advisable that the case should be heard in the immediate neighbourhood of the scene of the riots. The expenses incurred by defendants and witnesses can, by Statute, be allowed by the Court.